Waste Diversion

WHAT GOES WHERE

Wondering where to take items for recycling? There's a free app for that!

Enter an item in the search field below or download the Recollect Squamish app (available for Andriod and iPhone).

REFUSE, REDUCE/REUSE FIRST AND THEN RECYCLE

Keeping waste out of the municipal landfill

There’s no “away” when we throw garbage into a can or waste bin. Trash goes into our landfill, where it decomposes – sending methane, carbon dioxide and toxins into our air, soil and water.

Waste diversion is a general term that means keeping waste out of the municipal landfill. Diversion follows the priority of the 5R’s, which outlines that 'Refuse' is more effective than ‘Reduce’, which is more effective than ‘Reuse’, which is more effective than ‘Recycle’. Recycling costs energy and money, and doesn’t address the issue of over-consumption.

REFUSE waste. Say no to things people offer you that you don't need and refuse to buy products that can be harmful to the environment.

REDUCE waste by not generating in the first place. Buy in bulk, rent, repair, shop at second hand stores etc.

REUSE materials. Use glass jars for storing bulk food or construction materials like nails. Take used construction materials to Squamish ReBuild.

RECYCLE, to make a new product out of used materials, compost out of yard waste, boxboard out of cardboard etc.

RECOVER, to use a material to make a product of some value. We chip our construction waste and burn it at Port Mellon to generate power, instead of burning natural gas.